NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which
action should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function
tests. - correct answer b
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a
thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - correct
answer d
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34
mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which
finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - correct answer
b
1|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched,
bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How
should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - correct answer a
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which
statement, if made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - correct
answer c
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which
action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment
skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the
stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the
lung bases.
2|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through
the mouth.
- correct answer b
Which action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
a. Listen to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or crackles.
b. Label specimens obtained during percutaneous lung biopsy.
c. Instruct a patient about how to use home spirometry testing.
d. Measure induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test. -
correct answer b
A patient is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest
with contrast media. Which assessment findings should the nurse report to
the health care provider before the patient goes for the CT (select all that
apply)?
a. Allergy to shellfish
b. Patient reports claustrophobia
c. Elevated serum creatinine level
d. Recent bronchodilator inhaler use
e. Inability to remove a wedding band - correct answer a,c
3|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs).
Which finding would require immediate action?
a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3-) is 31 mEq/L.
b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is 92%.
c. The partial pressure of CO2 in arterial blood (PaCO2) is 31 mm Hg.
d. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) is 59 mm
Hg. - correct answer d
Which assessment finding indicates that the nurse should take immediate
action for an older patient?
a. Weak cough effort c. Dry mucous membranes
b. Barrel-shaped chest d. Bilateral basilar crackles - correct answer d
A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed
tomography (CT) scan. Which information obtained by the nurse is a
priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?
a. Allergy to shellfish c. Respiratory rate of 30
b. Apical pulse of 104 d. O2 saturation of 90% - correct answer a
The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma
attack. Which statement indicates that the patient may need teaching
regarding medication use?
4|Page
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which
action should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function
tests. - correct answer b
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a
thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - correct
answer d
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34
mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which
finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - correct answer
b
1|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched,
bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How
should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - correct answer a
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which
statement, if made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - correct
answer c
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which
action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment
skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the
stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the
lung bases.
2|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through
the mouth.
- correct answer b
Which action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
a. Listen to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or crackles.
b. Label specimens obtained during percutaneous lung biopsy.
c. Instruct a patient about how to use home spirometry testing.
d. Measure induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test. -
correct answer b
A patient is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest
with contrast media. Which assessment findings should the nurse report to
the health care provider before the patient goes for the CT (select all that
apply)?
a. Allergy to shellfish
b. Patient reports claustrophobia
c. Elevated serum creatinine level
d. Recent bronchodilator inhaler use
e. Inability to remove a wedding band - correct answer a,c
3|Page
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical
Surgical Nursing (2026/2027
Latest Update) Verified
Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs).
Which finding would require immediate action?
a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3-) is 31 mEq/L.
b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is 92%.
c. The partial pressure of CO2 in arterial blood (PaCO2) is 31 mm Hg.
d. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) is 59 mm
Hg. - correct answer d
Which assessment finding indicates that the nurse should take immediate
action for an older patient?
a. Weak cough effort c. Dry mucous membranes
b. Barrel-shaped chest d. Bilateral basilar crackles - correct answer d
A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed
tomography (CT) scan. Which information obtained by the nurse is a
priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?
a. Allergy to shellfish c. Respiratory rate of 30
b. Apical pulse of 104 d. O2 saturation of 90% - correct answer a
The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma
attack. Which statement indicates that the patient may need teaching
regarding medication use?
4|Page
